FresH2O's 20g planted rescape

[nirbhao]

Hey, dwarf baby tears in Eco Complete buddy! I'm curious to see what you do with this.

 

[Bert2oo1]

I feel your frustration lol you've been fighting this for ages! I bet your very close to stripping it and going down the Tropica route

Tank looks nice!

 

[Fresh2o]

Cal - I've had this happen before and was not able to have the roots take hold. I think this is a limitation in part due to the EcoComplete.
Nirb - Its fine in the short term in my experience
Bert - You might be right. This patch is the size of a medium pizza slice. [emoji487]Healthy growth, lots of roots. Plenty of it to break up and start a new carpet, DSM or submerged.
I'm considering topping the center section of the EC with something like Brightwell Aquatics' FlorinVolcanit Rio Escuro and then replanting with HC Cuba or perhaps a type of DHG.

 

[ScapeYoda]

You'll regret capping the eco sir.
I'd recommend all or none.
Brightwell us just to nice to mix up with eco-incomplete?

 

[Fresh2o]

You'll regret capping the eco sir.
I'd recommend all or none.
Brightwell us just to nice to mix up with eco-incomplete[emoji6]

Aw, such a play on words. Are they that different (besides grain size for the EF)?
Okay, no cap. First things first:
1. Sell the carpet
2. Remove the remaining plants (temporarily)
3. Scoop out the EC; leave it under the hardscape
4. Get my hands on some Brightwell Aquatics FlorinVolcanit Rio Escuro Extra Fine and add it to the tank
5. Replant the stems and carpet sprigs and sit back
Sound like a plan?

 

[Brookster123]

Sounds good to me.

 

[ScapeYoda]

That's the ticket!

 

[toolman]

[emoji41] popcorn plz

 

[Delapool]

I sense all-night scape coming sooonn! [emoji16]

 

[DaleV87]

[emoji106] Can't wait to see it go down [emoji102]

 

[Autumnsky]

I hear TC is the answer for no algae, say a few peeps at the AGA Con...???

 

[Delapool]

I hear TC is the answer for no algae, say a few peeps at the AGA Con...???

Tetracycline?

 

[Fresh2o]

I think she is referring to Tissue Culture.
Carpet is coming out on Sunday. As for the rest of the plans...
Well, I'm on the fence. Why? Partially because I'm lazy. Weather is nicer outside (lots to do in the yard) so I spend even less time with the tanks. Plus, my QT is now a shrimp tank.
So, I will have a bare spot in the middle of the tank for a bit. Stay tuned...

 

[Fresh2o]

Carpet has been pulled from the tank. Packed and ready to ship. This is 4 months worth of growth:

New open area. It's been a while since I've seen this much substrate.

FTS

 

[Bert2oo1]

Didn't realise u had already pulled so much! The repens have taken over a massive area. Looks nice and tight tho

Have u decided whats happening next yet?

 

[Autumnsky]

That open area looks nice too.

Yes, I meant Tissue Culture. At AGA, Topica provided a drawing prize of 26 different types, their complete line TC cups containers and bags, (my CAS /club friend won it and he has about 10 fish and only running one tank, but he has a empty 60G cube he won last year or year before, lucky devil!)

Never realized the vastness of kinds of plants in the trade until the AGA convention this weekend mind blowing. There was a nice amount of things I hadn't ever heard of. I arranged half of the tables of plants for the runners and it was amazing to see so many kinds of things. Of course some newer and new varieties.

Maybe check out something new from plant options? I am inspired by what I saw.

 

[Fresh2o]

I'll keep my options open and suppress the urge to thin and replant the staur repens in the newly open space.
Locally for me there is GWAPA (Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association) and I know that they have access to a wide variety of different species, many I've probably never heard of.

 

[fishenthusiast]

Looking good! If you ever need something new to experiment with, some Buce would look nice on the shaded areas of the rock. I did have some in high light for a brief period last summer and I didn't have any algae issues, but they are slower-growing than Anubias initially.

 

[DaleV87]

I'm anxious to see what new species you may come up with Fresh.

 

[Fresh2o]

Buces have piqued my interest on more than one occasion. I have places in the crevices of the rocks that might be suitable for these. I need to research care and sources. Does not address the open area but I have time to explore options.
I looked at the GWAPA upcoming event list and speakers this year include Tom Barr, Rachel O'Leary, and Chris Lukhaup. Plants, fish, and inverts covered.
Until then, here's a short video I took of the tank tonight. Enjoy. [youtube]http://youtu.be/NFv3cTWd1r0[/YouTube]